Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-10-2016, 03:54 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Damon Daybreak 3211
State: England
Posts: 18
THOR #719
Battery Charging from Onboard Generator

We have a 2011 Damon Daybreak 3211 with an Onan 5.5 Generator fitted. Trying wild camping next week (boon docking to you guys I think) for the first time. Anyone have any idea how long we need to run the generator to keep the house battery charged? I suspect that all we will be running off the battery is the lighting and water pump. Thanks for any advice. By the way we are over here in the UK.

__________________
Mike and Carole in Fudge the Daybreak
Blodwyn Pig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2016, 04:22 AM   #2
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport34F
State: California
Posts: 91
THOR #3382
Generator Battery Charging

I have a meter on my house batteries that tells me via digital readout the voltage remaining. At 12 volts remaining, I can recharge my batteries to 100% in 4 hours, WITHOUT the AC running.

Many coaches have a built in generator auto start, that will auto start the generator based on voltage remaining, or temperature in Motorhome. It then runs a preset time, or until batteries are charged.
__________________
winder1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2016, 03:16 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
Depends on the batteries. But typical from 50% discharged is around 5 hours with a smart charger for use. Faster if we isolate the batteries and use the smart charger on one and the converter for the other.
__________________
2016 Axis 24.1 E-450 6 spd tranny
300 watts portable solar.
200 watts solar on the roof.
Wrangler JK dinghy
scrubjaysnest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2016, 07:31 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Damon Daybreak 3211
State: England
Posts: 18
THOR #719
Thanks for the info. We don't have an auto start on the generator, manual switch on and off for us.
__________________
Mike and Carole in Fudge the Daybreak
Blodwyn Pig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 08:30 AM   #5
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2012 Daybreak 28PD
State: California
Posts: 81
THOR #556
I have a 2012 Daybreak. Running the generator about one hour a day does it for me. Remember the electronics in the reefer is running 24/7. Use a volt meter everyday until you get an idea how much generator time is really needed.
__________________
Kenneth Neal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 03:22 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Wonderdog's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 361
THOR #4466
We've boondocked for two weeks at a time. The generator is run no more than two hours a day, maybe a bit more if we want to use the microwave. We use small battery operated lanterns with leds instead of rv lighting. We try to conserve battery power for the fridge and furnace fan at night. Also, instead of using the battery powered water pump we keep plastic gallon jugs filled with water for various uses, including flushing the toilet. Instead of homey sheets and blankets we throw a couple of sleeping bags on the beds and turn the thermostat down to fifty. Boiling water for my drip pot coffee takes the edge off the chill in our 25 footer first thing in the morning. We used to be a tent campers.
__________________
Wonderdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 08:31 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Damon Daybreak 3211
State: England
Posts: 18
THOR #719
Thank you for all the advice, now have a better idea of using the generator. This is our first real attempt at wild camping / boon docking. We are out for twenty four days so it will be a bit of a learning curve as we are normally hooked up to a mains electrical supply. Looking forward to it.
__________________
Mike and Carole in Fudge the Daybreak
Blodwyn Pig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 09:24 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blodwyn Pig View Post
We have a 2011 Damon Daybreak 3211 with an Onan 5.5 Generator fitted. ....cut....
When comparing to others, I'd make sure that your converter is of similar rating, otherwise the data may not apply closely. It may also help to compare similar battery capacities.

Having a larger generator (5.5 vs 4.0) may not help when charging rate is limited by converter. Obviously if you can recharge at 100 Amps the generator won't have to run as long as if charging is limited to 50 Amps, etc.

If boon-docking often, I'd look at converter and battery capacity as areas for possible upgrade. Just food for thought.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2016, 11:47 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Wonderdog's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Florida
Posts: 361
THOR #4466
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blodwyn Pig View Post
Thank you for all the advice, now have a better idea of using the generator. This is our first real attempt at wild camping / boon docking. We are out for twenty four days so it will be a bit of a learning curve as we are normally hooked up to a mains electrical supply. Looking forward to it.
I'm envious. Have a great time and tell us all about it on your return.
__________________
Wonderdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 12:47 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 28A Class C
State: Vermont
Posts: 267
THOR #4117
Here is a more technical reply.

Your battery charging speed depends on how far your battery is discharged and how much current your converter is pushing thru your battery.

Obviously, if your battery is not very discharged, it will charge faster than one which is fully discharged.

The other factor is determined by your converter. Many manufacturers install an inexpensive single stage converter that charges at 13.6v or so and that limits the charging current to about 5 Amps. It also can cause the water to evaporate when the battery is fully charged.

Much better is a "smart" charger. (not a brand name). A smart charger senses the battery's state of charge and sets the charging voltage accordingly. a deeply discharged battery will be charged at about 14.2v, depending on the generator brand. The charging current can be in the 30-60 Amp range, depending on the battery and converter. Once the battery becomes somewhat charged the charging voltage drops to about 13.8v, as I recall. Once it is fully charged the voltage drops to 13.2v, which is much easier on the battery than the 13.6v mentioned above.

I think most of the replies above are for a smart charger.
__________________
tenbear is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 03:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2